Month: April 2008

Reclaiming Conservatism

The conservative movement is dead. At least, anything resembling the traditional conservative movement. As represented by the Bush administration, Republican congressional majority, and right-leaning punditocracy, conservatism means more federal spending, an expanded welfare state, federalization of local and state issues, warrantless surveillance, executive branch dominance, Wilsonian global intervention, and endless war. Indeed, it is hard … Continue reading “Reclaiming Conservatism“

Thursday: 1 US Airman, 47 Iraqis Killed; 78 Iraqis Wounded

Updated at 12:35 a.m. EDT, April 5, 2008At least 47 Iraqis were killed and 78 more were wounded in the latest violence. A U.S. airman was killed in an IED attack as well. Seven likely Arab nationals were also killed in Tikrit. In Baghdad, Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki continues his attacks against Shi’ite cleric Moqtada … Continue reading “Thursday: 1 US Airman, 47 Iraqis Killed; 78 Iraqis Wounded”

Whispers for Engagement with Hamas

Two years after Hamas was isolated almost unanimously by the international community following its victory in Palestinian parliamentary elections, the militant Islamist group has repeatedly proved that it can disrupt US President George W. Bush’s plans for a decisive agreement on Palestinian-Israeli peace by the end of this year. The upsurge in violence in Gaza … Continue reading “Whispers for Engagement with Hamas”

‘The Shot’ Sets Stage for Space Arms Race

When the United States recently shot apart a crippled spy satellite over the Pacific Ocean, it also tested an offensive anti-satellite weapon and the potential for ballistic missile defense. “The shot,” as the Pentagon called the $100 million operation conducted on February 20, came immediately after Russia and China put forward a detailed, but flawed, … Continue reading “‘The Shot’ Sets Stage for Space Arms Race”

Backtalk, April 3, 2008

Why They Hate China I must take issue with Justin Raimondo’s characterization of China’s changes over the past decade or so as the development of a free market and an unleashing of the “entrepreneurial sprit.” China’s reforms have indeed been capitalist, but hardly laissez-faire. Rather, the Communist state is simply using the same old apparatus … Continue reading “Backtalk, April 3, 2008”

Wednesday: 45 Iraqis Killed, 84 Wounded

Updated at 1:25 p.m. EDT, April 2, 2008At least 45 Iraqis were killed and 84 more were wounded in the latest round of violence. Clashes involving Mahdi Army members and Iraqi security are now over, but the Iraqi government is still engaging in minor chest thumping in the port city of Basra and keeping Sadr … Continue reading “Wednesday: 45 Iraqis Killed, 84 Wounded”

Survey: US Image Improved Slightly in 2007

After three years of steadily declining ratings, global perception of the United States as a positive influence in the world appears to have improved marginally during 2007, according to a survey of 23 countries [.pdf] released by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) Wednesday. The poll of some 17,500 respondents, carried out at the end of … Continue reading “Survey: US Image Improved Slightly in 2007”

Surge Success Runs Into Sadr

As the fifth year of U.S. discontent came and went, presidential candidates jousted with each other about how best to assuage the fears of ordinary citizens over a war that – in nearly all estimates – has gone terribly wrong. The Iraq debacle may have temporarily faded from the U.S. public’s consciousness, as recent polls … Continue reading “Surge Success Runs Into Sadr”

NATO Marches Eastward

The relentless march of NATO, decades after the implosion of the Soviet Union and the death knell of the Leninist project, is surely an object lesson in the real motivations and character of “democratic” imperialism, here and in Europe. The Communist enemy may be long gone, but NATO soldiers ever onward, and ever eastward. Suddenly … Continue reading “NATO Marches Eastward”

The End of Empire?

In Iraq, in Afghanistan, and at home, the position of the globe’s “sole superpower” is visibly fraying. The country that was once proclaimed an “empire lite” has proven increasingly lightheaded. The country once hailed as a power greater than that of imperial Rome or imperial Britain, a dominating force beyond anything ever seen on the … Continue reading “The End of Empire?”